Ukraine Government Continues Anti-Terrorist Operation in East

A pro-Russia rebel mans a front line position under a train wagon, south of the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk.

Ukrainian forces on Monday continued their so-called anti-terrorist operation in the country's east by shelling a suburb of the rebel-held town of Slovyansk, news reports said.

A spokesman for the local self-defense forces said military helicopters had been used to shell the village of Andreyevka, where pro-Russian separatists have established a checkpoint, with heavy mortars and howitzers, Interfax reported.

No victims had been recorded as of Monday morning, Interfax said.

The shelling comes a day after residents in the Donetsk region — where Slovyansk is located — held a referendum on self rule for eastern Ukraine. According to organizers, nearly 90 percent voted in favor of self rule, with only 10 percent voting against.

The interim government in Kiev has refused to acknowledge the results of the vote and the reported shelling of Andreyevka marks a continuation of its attempts to retake the town, which has become a stronghold of rebel activity.

The anti-terrorist operation in Slovyansk, launched at the start of May, has led to the deaths of at least ten people, including five military police and two airmen.

Russia has condemned Kiev's actions in the east, calling them a violation of the agreements reached in Geneva to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine.